More than 1,400 people have had their dole cut this year – double the rate of 2012, figures have revealed.

Statistics released to Irishmirror.ie showed 1,442 work dodgers have had their payment slashed by up to €44 in the first six months of the year.

This is twice the penalty rates of last year when 1,435 people had their benefit reduced and four times the rate in 2011 when just 372 people took a cut.

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton said the State had a responsibility to the people who pay their taxes to ensure others don’t abuse the system.

She told Irishmirror.ie: “We went to send two messages to people.

“Social welfare is there to offer income support when people unfortunately have lost their jobs but the social contract is that those people have to equally engage with the department to do everything to get themselves job ready and to get back to work.

“We really want to show we mean business on this.

“As well as having a responsibility to people who are unemployed I have a huge responsibility to people who are paying taxes and PRSI. I have to balance the two.”

Dole claimants have their dole cut when they don’t engage with welfare officials who try to get them to training and education programmes.

A breakdown of the figures from January to May show 54,201 people were called for an interview and 10,993 refused to show up.

It reveals 2,984 (5%) didn’t show up when called for a second time and 1,217 had their payments cut.

In the month of June, 225 people had their jobseekers’ allowance cut.

Ms Burton said someone who collects a welfare payment enters a contract with the State and must live up to their obligations.

She added: “In the past, people who unfortunately lost their jobs could find themselves left to one side and essentially parked on social welfare.

“By and large if people get cut off, they tend to respond.

“If people fail to respond at all, we just assume they have left the country or have better things to do with their time. In such cases, they will be struck off.

“We are being responsible to you, you have to be responsible to your fellow citizens who pay taxes.”